Rum Slush

June 23, 2016
With its refreshing citrus taste and super-cool slushiness, Rum Slush is simply perfect for sipping on those hot summer days.
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Rum Slush Image ~ With its refreshing citrus taste and super-cool slushiness, Rum Slush is simply perfect for sipping on those hot summer days.   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


Summertime and the living is easy.  That's right ... it's summertime!  And nothing says summer like slow relaxing days by the pool with a nice cold beverage in your hand.

And when that nice cold beverage is all-slushy-like with rum in it?  Well, that's the best kind of nice cold beverage around.

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Hawaiian Dream Cake

June 17, 2016
Hawaiian Dream Cake ~ a layered delight with pineapple-and-coconut laced yellow cake base, a layer of creamy pineapple pudding, and freshly whipped cream and coconut topping.  Cool, creamy, & comforting!
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Hawaiian Dream Cake image ~ a layered delight with pineapple-and-coconut laced yellow cake base, layer of creamy pineapple pudding, and freshly whipped cream and coconut topping.  Cool, creamy, & comforting!

Hey all, summer is upon is!  Oh it's time to celebrate and enjoy all things summery!  Including all the tasty desserts that come along with this fabulous season.

I mean, can you imagine a summer without creamy no-bake favorites like Chocolate Eclair Dessert or classic Oreo icebox dessert?  Or rich-and-delicious homemade chocolate ice cream?

Or how about those tasty desserts like strawberry cobbler or blueberry crisp made with all of summer's delicious fresh fruits?  Oh yes, it just wouldn't be summer at all without these yummy homemade treats.

Seriously, what better way to celebrate all things summer than a delicious cake that screams of tropical island vacations? 

And there's one more favorite of mine that's just perfect for summer ~ this time, a cake.  A cool-and-creamy pineapple and coconut-filled icebox cake, that is.  That just so happens to bear the name of Hawaiian Dream Cake.
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Maple Iced Coffee Made Easy {By the Glass or By the Pitcher}

June 8, 2016
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Folgers. All opinions are 100% mine.
Making iced coffee at home is easy.  But rather than plain iced coffee, how about whipping up some totally maple-icious Maple Iced Coffee instead?  It's the perfect just-a-little-bit-extra-special sipper, easy to whip up by the glass for yourself or by the pitcher for sharing!
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Maple Iced Coffee Made Easy {By the Glass or By the Pitcher}


You know those times when you want something just a little extra-special to drink? ... a little pick-me-up treat, you might say.  Or, you've got some friends coming over and you'd like to have something a bit fun to offer?  Sure ... you could whip up a cup of coffee like usual.

But how about whipping up some totally maple-icious Maple Iced Coffee instead?!?
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Antipasto Platter with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

June 6, 2016
Make flavorful Grape Tomato & Caper Salad with Fresh Basil the centerpiece of a beautiful antipasto platter ~ so easy & just perfect for entertaining.

Grape Tomato & Caper Salad with Fresh Basil


An antipasto platter is one of my go-to entertaining items.  Especially when guys are involved in the party.  For some reason, guys seem to really love an antipasto platter.  Can't say that I blame them though ... I really love an antipasto platter, too.

And I especially love an antipasto platter when it has a beautiful, flavorful Grape Tomato & Caper Salad in the middle of it.

Party-Perfect Antipasto Platter

The truly beautiful thing about a festive platter (aside from all the wonderful colors on the plate!) is its versatility.  Include cured meats, Italian cheeses, olives, artichoke hearts, or other marinated vegetables ... whatever combination you want!

Garnish the platter with fresh herbs, place it in the center of your serving table, and you have colorful and tasty, easily-assembled party fare.

Here are my usual suspects:  Hard salami, Genoa salami, turkey pepperoni, or cappicola for meats.  I typically include two meats.  For cheeses - fresh mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, and provolone are great choices.  Then a selection of olives, marinated artichokes, marinated mushrooms, peppadew sweet-hot peppers, roasted red peppers, or roasted cipollini onions.

Antipasto Platter Selection of Cheeses & Meats

This is portable, too.  Going to the park for a picnic?  Out to watch an outdoor concert?  No problem.  Put your antipasto items in zip-top bags, toss them in a cooler, and assemble them on a plate (it can even be a paper one) to serve it up!

For my arrangement, I like to put a small bowl in the center of my platter and fill it with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad.  I love having the bright red of the tomatoes right in the middle.  I then place my other antipasto items around the tomato salad, working in sections and doing my best to make a nice arrangement of colors.

You know though, if you simply make sure to include tasty good-quality items, you really can't go wrong with your arrangement.

Assembling a Party-Perfect Antipasto Platter

Serve it with baguette slices, assorted crackers, or bread sticks ... yummy.

Party-Perfect Antipasto Platter

So would you like to know how to make the Grape Tomato & Capers Salad?  I thought you might.  This is soooooo good!  We often enjoy this as a side dish salad ... no antipasto platter involved.

Start by slicing some ripe, juicy grape tomatoes in half and put in lots of chopped fresh basil.

Tomatoes and Fresh Basil for Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

Then mix up a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and capers.

Balsamic and Caper Dressing for Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

Pour the dressing over the tomatoes, and top it all off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  Dish it up just as it is, or show it off in the center of a gorgeous antipasto platter and entertain away!

Either way, I know you'll enjoy it.

Check out these other tasty little party nibbles:
Grape Tomato & Caper Salad with Fresh Basil
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antipasto platter, how to make an antipasto platter, easy entertaining ideas, appetizer recipes, tomato salad recipe
Appetizers & Snacks
Italian
Yield: varies

Antipasto Platter with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

Antipasto Platter with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

Make flavorful Grape Tomato & Caper Salad with Fresh Basil the centerpiece of a beautiful antipasto platter ~ so easy & just perfect for entertaining.
prep time: 30 Mcook time: total time: 30 M

ingredients:

For the Grape Tomato & Caper Salad:
  • 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
  • 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 3 T. drained small capers
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 3 T. balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 3 T. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
For the Antipasto Platter:
  • Sliced hard salami, Genoa salami, pepperoni, turkey pepperoni, and/or cappicola for meats
  • Fresh mozzarella balls, sliced fresh mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, and/or provolone for cheeses 
  • A variety of olives, marinated artichokes, marinated mushrooms, peppadew sweet-hot peppers, roasted red peppers, and/or roasted cipollini onions
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

instructions:

How to cook Antipasto Platter with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad

For the Grape Tomato & Caper Salad:
  1. Place halved tomatoes and basil in a bowl.
  2. Combine capers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour over tomatoes, tossing to coat. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.
For the Antipasto Platter:
  1. Place a small bowl in the center of a serving platter. Fill the bowl with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad.
  2. Then working in sections, arrange the other antipasto items around the tomato salad, making a nice arrangement of colors.
  3. Tuck in a few sprigs of fresh basil or parsley to garnish.
  4. Serve with baguette slices, assorted crackers, or bread sticks.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. Grape Tomato & Caper Salad also makes for a fabulous side dish on its own, especially in summer with fresh-from-the-garden cherry or grape tomatoes.
  2. The truly beautiful thing about an antipasto platter (aside from all the wonderful colors on the plate!) is its versatility. Include any combination of cured meats, Italian cheeses, olives, artichoke hearts, or other marinated vegetables you'd like.  It's all good!
Created using The Recipes Generator

You might also like these other party favorites:


BLT Dip


3-Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bites


Quick Salami & Cream Cheese Bites


Spinach Balls


Ham & Pickle Bites


Antipasto Platter ~ An antipasto platter is a perfect (& easy!) way to entertain. Party or game day snacks, anyone??  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com
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A Hearty Bowl of Chili

June 3, 2016
Who doesn't love a hot and hearty bowl of chili?  This one's spiced just right with the wonderful flavors of chili powder and ground cumin.

Hearty Chili ~ Who doesn't love a hot and hearty bowl of chili?  This one's spiced just right with the wonderful flavors of chili powder and ground cumin.   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


Hey, what's more satisfying and body-warming than a hearty bowl of chili?  Not much, I say.

But when it comes to chili, I have a confession to make.  For the looooooongggest time I made my chili with one of those store-bought little envelopes of chili seasoning.

Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that ... but once I discovered how easy it is to throw together my own chili seasoning, and how much more flavorful my own chili mix is ... well, there was no turning back.

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Fluffy Baked Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

June 1, 2016
If you just adore standing at the stove flipping batch after batch of pancakes while the rest of the family eats away at the table, then look away ... this recipe's not for you.  Love to find an easier way to serve up hot & delicious pancakes? ... You're in the right place.  This Fluffy Baked Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes recipe is  for you!
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Fluffy Baked Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes Image ~ done in the oven, no flipping required!


When I think back to enjoying pancakes during my childhood, I remember my Mom standing at the stove, flipping pan after pan of them ... while the rest of us sat comfortably at the table devouring plateful after plateful of fluffy hot pancakes.

By the time Mom was done, so were we.  And Mom ended up eating her pancakes at the table by herself.

Poor Mom.

Love to find an easier way to serve up hot & delicious pancakes? This recipe is for you!

Oh if only there was an easier, less labor-intensive way to serve up pancakes.  But wait ... There is  an easier, less labor-intensive way!
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